Music production software: Preset bank for Synth1

In this post I will introduce you my first preset bank for a virtual synthesizer. It's basically a collection of different settings that I made for the classic virtual freeware synthesizer called Synth1. The bank includes 100 different sounds.

The purpose of this bank is to give some idea of how these sounds can be made. Synth1 has a fairly simple interface, so I think it's a quite good synth for learning about sound synthesis.

Most of these sounds as such are suitable mainly for psytrance genre, but the bank also includes other more universal material. Anyone can use these presets for their productions as they are, but I encourage you to tweak them and try out different things.

You can get Synth1 from here for free: https://www.kvraudio.com/product/synth1-by-ichiro-toda

The bank is basically a folder of files. You can load it in to Synth1 by clicking the OPT-button, then by clicking the browse-button.

So... what is inside the bank ? The program list came out fairly alright, considering the fact that I just started to make the presets and didn't plan it too much. It's pretty much impossible to re-organize your program list in this synth once it's done. Anyway, let's have a look at it:

Basic

These are just basic default waveform settings for the user to start sculpting new sounds. Personally I think the native default preset of Synth1 is rather tedious to start working with. You have to tweak quite a bit of parameters until you have a good starting point.

Drums

These are just simple examples of how to make drum sounds with a simple synth.

Leads n' psyfx

This section starts with few simple lead presets for lead melodies. All the "PSY"-sounds are rather "genre specific" settings. These are some sounds that you hear in the majority of psytrance tracks.

The "PSY-FM" sounds are some growly frequency modulated saw-waveform sounds. I've used these in many of my tracks. Play them in lower octaves, tweak the filter cutoff and also try tweaking the FM-knob inside the Oscillator-box located in the upper left corner.

The "Psy Sounds" are different variations of saw-waveform being pitch-modulated and filtered.

Bass

This one has your basic psytrance saw bass with some different variations. It also has some different bass styles in it.

Pads

Different pads that are suitable for nearly any type of music.

Effects

The impacts and risers are the well known effect sounds that can be found atleast in all the club music genres. They are commonly used sounds to carry the tune from one part to another.

With the "Random steps" this sections starts to get more experimental. They are some weird "computer scifi alien robot"-effects that have randomized lfos in them. You might want to record some takes and use the best pieces.

The trippy and swampy stuff continues the crazier effect story.

Arps

Play chords with these presets and the synth will break them in to separate notes and repeat them like looping melody. Suitable for many kinds of music.

Synth stuff

Various synth sounds for melodies, chords, etc.

More PSY

More psytrance sounds to play around with.

Your turn

These are just empty slots for the users to save their own variations.

I have made plenty of presets before, but only for my personal use. This bank is available for everybody. With Parvati Records I wanted to include this preset bank as a bonus gift to all the customers who buy or have bought my latest psytrance EP called "Vertical - II". The bank is included inside the EP package.

The release can be purchased from here: http://parvati-records.com/product/music-shop/ep/vertical-ii/

In case you already purchased it from our webshop, you will get an e-mail. In case you bought the EP from somewhere else, please contact shakti@parvati-records.com with a receipt of your purchase.

Have fun and get inspired :)